Valve



Aug. 19, 1952 H. ALLEN 2,607,557

VALVE Filed Oct. 18, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 HIE/2 0527 4445A;

7- INVENTOR M W, I 4 4 A HORNE Y5 Fig.1

Aug. 19, 1952 H. ALLEN 2,607,557

VALVE v Filed oci. 18, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

HERbERTALLE/V VENTOR AITORNEYS Aug. 19, 1952 H. ALLEN 2,607,557

VALVE Filed Oct. 18, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Fig. 3

VJ 2;) J I I?) I6 26 1 19.4 I HfRbERTALLEN INVENTOR I WW BY -"4 I A TIORNE Y5 Aug. 19, 1952 H. ALLEN 2,607,557

VALVE Filed Oct. 18, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 5

HEAbEQTAL-LEN INVENTOR BYXIWW A TTORNE Y5 Patented Aug. 19, 1952 VALVE Herbert Allen, Houston, Tex assignor to Cameron Iron Works, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application October 18, 1945, Serial No. 623,000

This invention relates in general to valve actuators and more particularly has reference to a device for actuating plug-type valves in which the plug is unseated prior to rotation thereof.

Quite often valves of the plug type have the plug or valve body thereof jammedin either an open or closed position especially if the plug hasbeen in this position for a long period of time, and quite often purposely to effect a seal. Torotate the plug to a differentposition considerable effort must be applied to the jammed plug to effect the breaking away of the plug from its seat and the rotation thereof. M

An object of this invention is toprovide an actuator for plug-type valves which will remove the plug from its seat and subsequently efi'ect rotation of the plug to a difierent position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an actuator for plug-type valves which isefiective for unseating the valve plug,= rotating the same to a different position and for again tightly pressingthe plug on its seat in said different position. v Y

Still another object of this invention is ,to provide an actuator fora plug-typevalve which is effective for uns'eating the valve plug, rotating the same to a different position and ,for again tightly pressing the plug on its .seat in said different position and in which the plug is prevented from rotating during its seating motion.

With these and other objects in view the present invention comprises an actuator for the plug of a plug-type valve which is rotatableabout an axis concentric with that of the plug and is fixed against axial displacement. A thread connection is provided between the actuator andthe plug whereby rotation'of the actuator will first cause axial movement of the plug awayifrom its seat' and after the plug has been raised su'fiiciently, will eifect rotation of the plug t'c'r'a desired position. A mechanism is associated with the plug to prevent rotation'of th'e plug upon rotation of the-actuatorin the -opposite"direction whereby upon rotation'of the actuator in the opposite direction the plug will be moved-axially toward its seat without being displaced from 13 Claims. (01. 251-97) .Fig. 2 is an end. elevational view of the valve shown ,in Fig. 1 with parts in section. Fig. 3 is asection taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig- 4 is an axial vertical sectional view .through the actuator portion of the valve.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of a. valve and the actuator being shown partly in section.

As before stated, the .present invention comprisesan actuator. for an ordinary'type of plug valve operable to first move the plug axially to free it from its seat and permit itto be easily turned; In the drawings, a plug-type valvecis shown equipped with the actuator of this inven tion. The plug valve comprises a casing I having inlet and outlet ports 2 and 3 either of which may serve as the inlet or outlet depending upon the direction of fluidfiow through the same. These ports may be threaded as shown or otherwise formed for coupling to flow conduits. A frusto-conical bore is formed in the valve casing l and serves as a seat 4 for the tapered plug 5. As shown, the plug has a flow duct .6 therethrough which may be brought into register with the ports 2 and 3 to open the valveor moved to other positions to partiallyv or com pletelyclose on" the flow of fluid through the valve; The upper portion of the valve casingl isclosed .byacaporbonnet I which is secured in place by studs 8 and nuts,9 or other suitable means.

Plug 5 has a stem 10 extending axially therefrom. up. through an opening-gin. the bonnet .1. The upper portion of the opening through which the stem ,IO extends is enlargedto receive packing Hwhich is compressed, by an'annular ram 'I.2,--forceddownwardly by the cross vplate l3 which in turn is clamped toward the bonnet] by nutsl4 threaded onelongated studs l5 carried by" the casing 1' and projecting "through coaxially withtheplug 5 for rotary. movement but, retainsthe actuator effectively a ainst axial movement. Extending upwardly from the ac tuator I9 is a stem 20 which is shaped to receive a wheel, wrench or other means for rotating the actuator.

A boss 2| extends axially downwardly from the actuator [9 which is provided with a threaded socket 22 coaxially thereof.

Stem In of the plug 'is provided with a noncircular portion 2 3 and witha's han'k 24 of reduced diameter which is threaded to enter the threaded socket 22. The juncture of the stem I0 and shank 24 provides a shoulder which 1 cooperates with the lower edge of the boss 2] to limit relative rotation of the shank and socket in a direction for threading the shank into the socket.

On the upper portion of the cross plate l3 v there is provided a series of annularly arranged greater than that of the opening in the plate I3 through which the stem 10 extends. It will be noted that one end of .each of the teeth'or e1e'ments'26 is inclined as indicated by reference character 2'! and thatthe other end thereof is formed with an abrupt shoulder 28.

-Anannular disc 2'9sprovidedwith a non-circm larope'ning ismounted on the non-circular portion '2 3"o"f the stem 10; The external diameter-of this disc is such that it is loosely received within the a'nriulaily Y disposed series of "ratchet teeth 2Bon 'the upper surface of-th'e plate 13. One or more'pawls 39 are carried by the disc 29. In the formof invention shown'in the drawings; two

plug will not rotate with the actuator until free of the seat but will be drawn axially towards the actuator thereby breaking the plug loose from its seat. If after the plug 5 is'broken loose from its seat there is sufiicient friction to prevent its rotation, the threaded shank 24 will be drawn into the Socket 2! until the lower edge of the socket abuts the shouldcr25 then further rotation of the actuator will'positively produce rotation of the plug 5. The construction of the pawl disc and its mounting on the valve stem and the shape of the teeth enable the pawls to ride over the teeth.

1 teeth 26 and produce a sound which the operator In the drawings four of the ratchet pawl arms extend diametrically Jfro'rn the peripher y of the discas is most clearly shown in Fig. '3. Disc '29 is axialy inovable and nonrotatable relative to stem 10. The spacings -'between the teeth "elements 26 and the width of 'pal wlstfl are such that the pawls will seat'between adjacent teeth. Teeth 2 Bare in such numher and are so spaced that when" the :pawls 3D are seated betweenoneset of adjacent teeth the 'valve iplu'g willb e in openuposit-ion and-when se'ated in' 'space's between "the other set of adjacentteeth will be in the clos'ed position. U-r i'dei' these circumstances the pawls" 30 will serve as indicators to indicate the position of the plug' Bt w en the val've --isinstalled with the ste'm*'lll in the i/ertical positioh above the' pmg' a as" shown, the dis'c29 will seat by gravity. A sprin'g '3'l :in-

terfio'sdh'etweenthe uiidei side of theactuator 1'9 direction to cause 'th'e' threaded'sharik 'M'o'n'ithe valve stem "I (I to be' rawn up into thei'lthre'aded Sokt 22- carried 'by the' actilatol. ItIi S' mOSt likely-that the plug Bis jammed or stuckeonits tapered seat and these c'ircu'mstances the will recognize and thereby know that the valve plug has reached the desired position. After the plug has been rotated to a desired position as indicated bythe pawl-indicator 30, the actuator is rotated in the reverse'direction. Since the plug 5 'cannot be rotated inthe reverse direction by virtue of the pawls 33 engaging the shoulders 28 of the ratchet teethZE, the reverse rotation of the actuator will force the threaded shank'24 out of the socket22. Due to 'the mounting of the actuator against axial movement, the unthreading of the shank 24 from the socket 22 will axially displace the plug 5 and forc'eit 'ont'oitssea't to effectively seal it in its adjusted position.

Plug '55 lmay be loos'enedfro'm its seat, rotated and again pressed into its seat in the above described inanner to adjust it from open to closed positionsandto adjust it from closed to open positions. 'I'neach instance the adjustment is effected by rotating the plug in t'he same direction, it being held against reverse rotation by the pawl-and ratchet arrangement. modified form of valve actuator is shown inFigl 5. f Element'ssh'own in this 'figure identical *t o' 't hos'e' shown in Figs. 1-4 have been indicated by similar reference characters. The Gr mm construction shown in thisfigure differs from "that oftheother figures'in that a' different' form of mechanism is provided to constrain rotation of plug stein 10a to one direction. In the device of Fig; 5 the disc 29a is fixed to stem 10a and is provided with an indicator 30a. This "disc and indi pater; pointer serve merelyiasa means "to show the position of the plug integral with stem 'l'fla. Afhe'lical can springg32 "is tightly'wrapped' about St F001... "One end 33 of 'thisco'il is fiked' to'the ris 6 "and the other end is fr ee. Coil'3'2 is so wrapped about stem 'fflcqthat when actuator fQa is rotatedto. cause threaded 'sh'ank'12da to'he dra n; up into the socket 2"2a the frictional engagement between.the sternflfla and the coil spr ingrtends to unwrap the spring which reduces he r bti n b tw entheserine n s e -r er mat g-ro th lat v a 0n:r t ti t sactua o tr w n d r c i tounthread the shank-24c from the socket-22a, thefrictional engagement between the free end of ;=spring 32 ;tends to wrap the spring -more tightly about the stem, stiI'l J-furtherincreasing the friction between the spring andstem-to prevent-*rota'tionof the stem. Apart from the different form of clutch or ratchet this form of invention is the same as that of FigS;it-Tr4 and-operates in 'theisame. manner. 1 1 ."From the foregoing it 'w' l. b e appreciated that the present invention provides :a; simple andzeifective actuator for plug-type valves... 1...

2. ,Having' described my. invention, I claim: U .,.l:.fA plug valve comprising a valve casingha plug rotatably mounted in ,said casing, a stem carried by said plug, a valve actuator, means car-. riedby said casing supporting'said actuator for rotation concentrically with saidplug and fixed against axial movement,.cooperatingshank and socket imeans carried by saidstem and actuator operable upon rotation of the actuator relative to Ithe plug' for moving theplug axiallyv of the casing and adapted upon predetermined movementl'ofathe shank into the socket and on continued 'rotation of the actuator to rotate the plug a' pawl mounted on said stem for rotation therewithiand movable axially thereof, a member fixed tolthe casing and encircling said stem, a plurality Qt -ratchet elements disposed on said member andengageable by said pawl,.said ratchet element'sland pawl permitting rotationof said plug i'n-o'ne direction only from one of said ratchet elements to anotherandeffecting partial removal of the actuaton and a=spring urging. said pawl in engagement with said ratchet. J

- 2. A valve of .the rotary, axially movable plug type comprising a valve body having. a passagewayuextending therethrough, a rotary plug adapted to be seated and unseated in the-valve body'when moved axially, a valve seat extending transversely of the body, said valve seat'being of greater length than the plug to allow axial movementof theplug, said plug inits seated position being in contact with the seat, said plug having a transverse passageway adapted to align with the passageway through said body, a frame mounted 'on said valve body, actuating means int eluding a bushing rotatably mounted in said frame, a valve stem extending from said plug and having a threaded connection with said bushing so that rotation of said bushing relative to said stem effects axial movement of .said stem to seat and unseat said plug, means carried by said stem and engageable with said bushing for coupling said stem and bushing for rotation together when saidplug is unseated so'that rotation of said bushing efiectsrotation ofsaid plug, and means carried'by said frame for opposing rotary'movement of said stemin a direction opposite to the direction-of rotation of said bushing to rotate the plug' whereby when said bushing is rotated in the said opposite direction the plug is moved axially to reseated position.

3. A plug valve which comprises, in combination, a valve casing, a valve plug mounted in said casing for axial and turning movement, a valve actuator rotatably mounted on said casing and fixed against axial movement with respect thereto, connecting means between said actuator and said plug operable upon rotation of said actuator in one direction relative to said plug to axially move the latter from its seat and to turn the same with respect thereto and upon rotation in an opposite direction relative to the plug to axially move the latter axially into its seat, means for limiting relative rotation between the actuator and the plug, means carried by said casing and plug for preventing rotation of said plug in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said actuator to unseat said plug whereby when said actuator is rotated in said opposite direction the plug is moved axially without rotation to seated position, and for yieldably resisting rotation of the plug in the directional sense in which the actuator is rotated to move the plug from its seat.

4. A plug valve which comprises, in combina- 6? tion,- a valve casing, avalve-plug' mounted .in said casing for axial and turning movement,.a; :valve actuator rotatably mounted on said casing and fixed against axial movement with respecttheretojazscooperating threaded shank and socket c0n-. nectionbetween said actuator and said plug.op.-: erable uponrotation of; said actuator in one di-, rectiohlto move the plug axially of. its seat and to turn .the same with respect thereto and upon rotation'in the opposite direction to axially move saidplug to its seat,.means operable after .the plugv has been moved from its seat to limit relative rotation between the actuator and plug, and a detent mechanism including mutually engageable parts carried bysaid casing andsaidplug which when ,engagedare operable and effective to prevent turning of said plugiinzsaid opposite direction with saidactuator from .one predetermined operational position to another predeter mined'operational .position...f .I' p

5; .The valve of claim 4 wherein said detent mechanism is a ratchet .andpawl means carried by said plug and said casing, the last said means having stopsengageable. by said pawl at open and closed positions for the-plugxto preventzturning of the plug in said opposite direction from one of said positions to another of said: positions.

6. The valve of claimA-wherein saiddetent mechanism comprises .a coil spring tightly wrapped about a stem extending"coaxially-from said plug with one end of said spring fixed against rotative movement with respect to said casing and the other end frictionally engaging the stem; said springbeing wound around said stem' in said opposite direction when iv-iewed'toward said frictionally engaging, end. and away from :said fixed endv so that turning of'the stem andplug in said ione directionrtends to unwrapthe spring from ,the stem and to reduce the friction there betweenpermitting the stem and plug to rotate andgso that when said plug and stem areurged to turn insaid opposite direction, the "spring engages the stem and limits turning ofsaid plug; T

'7. A valve of .the rotary, axially movable plug type comprising a valve casing havinga passageway therethrough, a rotary plug adapted to be seated and'unseated when moved axial1y,a valve seatfor said plug extending transversely ofsaid casing, said plug in seated-positionbeing in contact withosaid seat, said plug having a transverse passageway adapted to be aligned with the passageway through said casing, a valve actuator, means carried by said casing supporting said actuator for rotation and fixed against axial movement with respect to said casing, a threaded connection between said actuator and said plug so that rotation of the actuator relative to said plug effects 'axial movement of said plug to seat and unseat the same, means carried by said plug engageable with means carried by said actuator for limiting relative rotation between said plug and actuator by coupling them together after said plug has been unseated a predetermined extent so that rotation of said actuator will positively efiect rotation of said plug and means carried by said casing for opposing rotary movement of said plug in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said actuator to unseat said plug whereby when said actuator is rotated in adapted :ior :axial ,and:turning movements which comprises: in combination, anxactuatorarcitatetbly mounted withrespectiossaid member and fixed against axial movement, 1 connecting means between said: actuator and "said member operable upon rotationof said actuator in' one direction relative to saidfmemberat'o axially'move the-latterzandto turn the same and upon rotation in an opposite directionrelative to said member to move the. latter axially: and 'oppositelyrfromzfirst said axial movement, means for limiting relative rotationpbetweenrthe actuator and'ithe member,

and a 'detent mechanism operable and effective tojprevent turning'rotsaidmember' with said actuatorinasaid' opposite. direction from one predeterminedsoperational :position to another predetermined'operationalposition. 7 V

wiOQAn actuating mechanism for a member adapted for axial'and turning movements which effective" to :prevent turning of .Ssaidf-men'iber in said opposite direction with said actuator from a ;predetermined operating position to another predetermined operating position.

ll. "The mechanism 'of claim 10. wherein said .detent mechanism is a ratchet and :pawl means carrie'daby saidumember and said'zsupport, the ratchet having stops :at: said operating positions toprevent turning of the member insaid opposite direction from one of said positions to another of said; positions.

@ -12.--A;va1ve of the-rotary, iaxiallyimovable plug type comprising a valve body having a passagei way extending therethrough andfhavinga plugreceiving-cavity intersecting said passageway, a rotary plug adapted to beseated and'unseatedin the cavity in-the valve "body when moved axially, saidcavity being of greater length thanithe plug to allow axial movement ofzthe plugqa valve :seat carriedwby the wall offsaid.cavity,.said,plugrin its seatedposition being in contact with the seat, said plughavingatransverse passageway adapted to align with the passageway through said body, a :frame mounted on said valve body, actuating means including a bushing rotatably mounted in said frame, a valvestem extending fromsaid'plug and having a threaded connection with said bushingsothat rotation of said bushing relative to said stem 'efiects axial movement of said stem to seat .and'unseatsaid plug, means carried by said stem and engageable with said bushingfor coupling said stem and bushing for rotation together when said plug is unseated so that Iotation of said bushing efiects rotation of said plug; and means carried by said frame for opposing rotary movement of said stem in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said bushing to'rotate the plug whereby when said bushing is rotated in the said opposite direction the plug is moved axially to reseated' position.

13. The valve of claim 3 wherein said means for preventing rotationand'foryieldably resisting rotation of said .plug comprises -a:pawl,a ratchet, and a spring-urging said pawl ,towa-rd'engagement with .said ratchet, the ratchet "having a stop engageable by said pawl'to'positivelyipreventmovement of said plug-with said tactuatoriin said opposite direction and having a part nppositely situated from said step which, when'i'said plug --is turned in said one ;direction,imoves said pawl against the urging'force of maid-spring whereby the forceof said :spring "must be overcome before said -:actuator can :turn :said 1 plug.

- HERBERT I REFERENCES CITED iTiie following treferences are of record in the file: of: this patent: v

V UNITEDSTATESQRATENTS Number 'Name Date {111,510 'Coal'e Dec. :26, 1893 v1,864,596 J'ones June 28,1932 2,064,765 Powell i Dec. 15,1936 2,139,632 Flodin Dec.'6,:1-19,38 2,327,425 :Hilker -Aug.;24 ,:1943 2,408,223 .-Nash: -Sept. .24. 19,46 2;464;123

Downing Mar. 18, 1949 

